( open to all ) all the world's a stage

[dothelokimotion]

Who: Open to All
What: Party @ The Opherium
When: August
Where: Central City
Content Warnings: N/A



( i. here for your entertainment )

[ most people would see the strange arrivals as an imposition. and loki does to some degree. that being said, he’s more than willing to turn that problem into a business opportunity. show that he’s open and welcoming. throw in a little extra money to establish the theater as a prominent spot in this world. the doors are open, fees are reduced. and if you’re not interested in catching a play, you might want to stop by the steps where there are a few vendors selling cotton candy, ice-cream sandwiches and beer to passersby and there are a few street performers there to catch your attention, whether they’re juggling fire balls, doing magic tricks or simply playing a pianoforte on the steps of the opherium. ]

( ii. the curtain rises )

[ for this month, loki is running a bunch of shakespearean plays. hamlet, macbeth, the twelfth night . . . you name it, it’s probably running. during the intermissions, there’s an open bar for you to rub elbows with the other patrons, maybe discuss your favourite part of the play. enjoy the arts so to speak. if you catch the really late night shows, you might find that your favourite plays might . . . turn out a little differently. like the trees are real in macbeth. that the ghosts move through the audience, sending chills down your spine. but the experience is still worth it. or is it?

or perhaps, you might need some alone time after a show, wanting to catch the infamous view of the city from the opherium's balcony. the choice is yours. ]

( iii. something wicked this way comes )

[ the theater keeps up odd hours. its productions run late into the night. and sometimes, you might feel the urge to linger and explore. after all, it’s strange to hear that a god of mischief is running a theater these days. almost suspicious even! so you might be wandering the halls, ears and eyes peeled to hear anything that might be unusual.

and you might just get your wish. a ghostly murmur, the flicker of a shadow against the pane of glass, statues that seem to be unnerving with their gaze upon you . . . is there something really there or are you just imagining things? ]

Comments

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki blinks, perplexed. ]

Of course I am. All of us are.

[ that's one of the few things they have in common after all. despite the differences in history and power. ]

And that is be the point. I would hate to be predictable.

[bestbrotherever]

I am not. My reputation comes from my thorough skill with illusions being exaggerated in retellings. Though I have never tried true shapeshifting. [He's always assumed it wasn't possible with the Asgardian magic he had.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ huh. ]

Yes, but your form right now is not your true one. Isn't that a form of shapeshifting? It's certainly no illusion to be dispelled by touch.

[bestbrotherever]

[His face darkens] Odin's doing. I do not know what magic he used on me, much less how to undo it.

[dothelokimotion]

Odin is dead.

You should be able to undo his enchantment.

[bestbrotherever]

He is not dead in my world, and he has no intention of doing me any favors.

[dothelokimotion]

[ ah. from the past then. he recognises this intractability and he's not sure what to make of it. asgard is gone. odin is gone. all that wronged him is gone. grudge-hoarding seems so pointless when there is no one left. ]

Very well. But you should still be able to undo his work.

[bestbrotherever]

I should. I just- have not set my mind to it. I have been enjoying my extra-dimensional vacation too much, I suppose.

[dothelokimotion]

Your vacation?

[bestbrotherever]

Yes. This is my... fifth, I believe? Time I have found myself snatched to another universe. The one I was in last has been quite relaxing, if prone to mischief of its own. But it has encouraged self-exploration.

[dothelokimotion]

That sounds like a kidnapping.

[bestbrotherever]

The place it took me from was the realm of the fae, where I had been explicitly abducted to be their plaything. It may have been a kidnapping, but under the circumstances, it was a most welcome one. And while I could not leave when I wished, I was able to experience events that had occurred back home after I was first taken.

[dothelokimotion]

[ his brow furrows. ]

Events? Such as?

[bestbrotherever]

An adventure with Thor on the lawless world of Sakaar. [He smiles at the memory.] A simple rescue mission turned into orchestrating a rebellion to overthrow a tyrant who had ruled longer than either of us had been alive.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki's expression turns wry. ]

Is that how it happened?

[bestbrotherever]

[Loki frowns]

It is. I was staying there, keeping an ear to the ground in a portion of the universe where the disreputable gather. The Grandmaster took a shine to me and was courting me, trying to convince me to stay. He showed off his prized champion, who I recognized as Thor's missing comrade, the Hulk. I, of course, immediately summoned Thor, knowing he would want to help his friend, but unfortunately he was captured en route. Still, he quickly turned it to his advantage once I met with him and explained the situation.

Is that not how it happened in your world?

[dothelokimotion]

[ he's bemused. what a convenient turn of events. ]

More or less.

[bestbrotherever]

[Loki sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose.]

Were you still enemies with Thor at that time?

[dothelokimotion]

Enemies is a strong word. Things were simply . . . tumultuous after Father's death.

[bestbrotherever]

Well. Odin is not yet dead. And while I am certain it will be tumultuous, I doubt Thor and I will be that much at odds. The most we are likely to disagree with is whether I should attend his funeral.

[dothelokimotion]

[ a pause. ]

Not even if you had a hand in his death?

[bestbrotherever]

I am trying to stay as far away from him as I can, so I will not be tempted.

[dothelokimotion]

So you are running away.

[bestbrotherever]

I am taking my fate into my own hands, rather than following the path decreed for me.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki gives a little snort. ]

Who is dictating your fate?